Meet Chloe Hedden | Fine Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chloe Hedden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chloe, how do you think about risk?
Its funny, when I first heard this question, it didn’t resonate with me. I don’t consider myself a risk taker. But, then I realized that my whole life is a risk. My whole world is built on risk. Being a fine artist, your next paycheck is never a guarantee. And once you find something that seems to sell, it’s very tempting just to stick with it and not to change. But, in the arts, you have to be constantly growing and evolving your practice or the work dies. The soul requires novelty and freshness and realness. And so I’m always exploring, experimenting and trying new things and then offering them to the market—never knowing if it will be a success or not. I’ve had to become comfortable with uncertainty. The stress just isn’t worth it. So I’ve learned to trust that somehow the universe will take care of me even when my mind tells me otherwise. Covid has been a real test of that—oh my! But people still need beauty. It turns out that art is essential after all.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a full time professional fine artist. I work from home and make art 7 days a week. Art pays my bills and makes my life worth living. I’m dedicated to creating beauty from my soul and following the thread of creativity wherever it takes me. I’m a total introvert, but I drag myself out to big international art fairs a few times a year. I sell my art through galleries and online platforms like Artsy and 1st dibs. I have relationships with designers and art consultants all over the country. My work takes the form of oil paintings, sculptures in various mediums and children’s books. My paintings and sculptures can be found in numerous public and private collections around the world. 2020 is really shaking me up and making me question everything. I don’t take life for granted, I’m more present in the moment. Many of us are sitting in this new reality and the uncertainty it brings with a mixture of fear, grief and hope—hope that maybe this is a chance to rebuild our world in a better way on the other side of this. Personally, I’ve been thinking a lot about the art that I make and what is relevant anymore. Historically, my subjects have been things that I love: light, form, composition, flowers, crystals, etc. and an ineffable something mysterious that comes through when I combine all of these things. As an artist I am always following the themes that interest me. It doesn’t matter what medium or process. I love light and abstract textural masses of form. As the world falls apart before our eyes, though, my means of expression may be changing too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t live in LA anymore, I left in 2014, so my advice is probably really outdated. And, of course, this is all for a pre Covid world… But, when I was there, I lived in a tiny romantic cottage at the top of Las Flores Canyon in Malibu. So, when friends visited, I knew all the beach access points and we would walk the sand for hours before grabbing brunch at the Malibu Farm Café or Juice at SunLife Organics. Or I’d take them up into the hills and we’d hike in Topanga or various secret trails in Malibu. Depending on the season, I would take them over to the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena or maybe the Lake Shrine. I’d want to catch Frieze LA if it was in February, otherwise, we’d see what show was on at Hauser Wirth and Schimmel. Maybe take a boat ride over to Catalina on a friend’s yacht or have an incredible meal at n/naka or Shibumi.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My amazing friend and mentor Terry Tempest Williams has been a huge driving force in my life and career. My gallerist Bobbi Walker in Denver has been such a support over the years and given me great opportunities to show my work. Melisa Taylor Metzger of Stella Ripley Gallery in Canada has been an important person in helping me expand my work to international audiences over the past 3 years.

Website: https://www.chloehedden.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloehedden/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloehedden/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chloeheddenart
Other: http://www.walkerfineart.com/chloehedden

Image Credits
Bill Godschalx